Swimming & diving teams split non-conference dual meets at Manchester

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Olivet College men's and women's swimming & diving teams split non-conference dual meets against Manchester (Ind.) University today at the Strauss-Peabody Aquatic and Fitness Center in North Manchester, Indiana. The Comet women defeated the Spartans, 168-60, while the men lost 102-94.

The Olivet women took first-place in all 14 swimming events. Sophomore Emma Cole won the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:55.90), 50-yard freestyle (:28.39) and 100-yard backstroke (1:11.23). Senior Megan Dossey touched the wall first in the 200- (2:08.99) and 500-yard (5:46.28) freestyle.

Freshman Delaney Graham finished first in the 50-yard backstroke (:32.81), 100-yard freestyle (1:00.01) and 100-yard individual medley (1:10.15). Freshman Taylor Tibbetts clocked-in with first-place times in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:18.17), and the 50- (:27.39) and 100-yard (1:03.32) butterfly. Sophomore Nicole Zerfas was first in the 50-yard breaststroke (:35.50).

Graham, Tibbetts, freshman Sabrina Butler and Dossey placed first in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 2:06.88. Sabrina Butler, freshman Samantha Butler, senior Leah Lupu and Cole completed the 400-yard freestyle relay in a first-place time of 4:14.42.

The men's team took the spot in five individual events and one relay. Senior Taylor Howard was a triple winner, as he won the 50-yard freestyle (:23.12) and 100-yard individual medley (:57.20). He then joined with freshmen Bryan Plesner, Derek Melinsky and Kody Garcia for a winning time of 3:45.96 in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Plesner was the first to touch the wall in the 1,000-yard freestyle (11:00.74), while Melinsky did the same in the 500-yard freestyle (5:34.67). Junior Bryce Prudden scored 240.05 points to win the diving competition.

Olivet return to the pool next Saturday, Jan. 16, at Alma College. Action gets under way at 1 p.m.